The capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is known for a dreamy hill side setting and mind boggling sights. The medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town with gardens and neoclassical buildings make the city a joy ride destination for the cultural heritage seeker. The Edinburgh Castle stands tall as a custodian of the city’s long history and heritage. The hilltop setting of the city makes it a real deal for a relaxing retreat. Spend time exploring the soothing sights and sounds of the city while you sail through your European holiday.

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The capital’s most significant pile of earth, Calton Hill has played a pivotal role in the history of Edinburgh. The hill has served various functions—from being used as a place of execution, to hosting a vigil for Scottish devolution—and it continues to be a potent symbol of national identity. If not for the many attractions (the National Monument, the large observatory and the Dugald Stewart Monument), make your way to the top for the finest views of the city.

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The Edinburgh Castle is a proud symbol of the Scottish nation. Watching over the capital like an overprotective father, the castle is not only the country’s most instantly-recognisable sights, but also its most significant. Built in the 12th century, this beautiful and imposing castle has played host to kings, queens, politicians and revolutionaries, and has been a powerful symbol of Scottish independence through the ages.

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Scotland’s National Portrait Gallery is a strikingly-red Gothic revival building containing some of the country’s most renowned works of art. The enormous entrance hall houses a mural depicting some of the most important Scots throughout history, while the rest of the gallery fills in the gaps. With portraits of everyone from David Hume and Robert Burns to Sean Connery and Alex Ferguson, the collection is a walk through the country’s history, as told by some of its most popular protagonists. Many locals visit not for the artwork on display, but for its exceptional little café, which is home to the finest cakes in Edinburgh.

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The city’s best known theatre venue—it is said that the theatre is haunted by the grey-suited ghost of Albert, an old stagehand who died in a freak accident here many decades ago—originally opened as a super-cinema in 1929, but is now the UK’s largest theatre. With a full capacity in excess of 3,000, this venue hosts a wide variety of musicals and concerts, and attracts some of the biggest musical talent from around the world. With different productions every night of the week—from famous West End musicals and Russian ballet performances, to local tribute acts and stand-up comedy—you’ll have no trouble finding something you’ll enjoy.

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This beautiful Royal Park within spitting distance of the capital offers visitors a real taste of the Scottish Highlands. Sprawling across 650 acres of high hills, wide glens, steep cliffs, craggy ridges and deep lochs, it makes for a perfect excursion from the city. Besides the iconic Arthur’s Seat (the highest peak in the area), Holyrood Park offers a range of other attractions including the rib-like basalt rock formations, natural springs, abundant wildlife, ruined abbeys, historic chapels and famous memorials. There are also several adrenaline-pumping activities you can do, from hiking and canoeing, to rock climbing.

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On a sunny summer's day in Edinburgh, there is nothing nicer than taking a leisurely stroll through the fragrant gardens at Holyrood Palace. Founded in 1128, the sublimely beautiful Holyrood Palace was once home to generations of Scottish Kings and Queens—it remains the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II even to this day—and is open to the general public most of the year. Rich in history and grand in scale this wonderful palace offers a window into aristocratic Scottish history.

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From Princes Street in the heart of the New Town—the city’s foremost shopping strip littered with high street giants like H&amp;M and Topshop—to streets with a strong local flavour; Edinburgh has a good collection of atmospheric places to shop at. Running parallel to Princes Street, things are a little more upmarket on George Street, which is home to a plethora of independent fashion designers and world-class fashion boutiques. Victoria Street—a stunning downhill curved street with an elevated row of shops—warrants a walk even if you’re not looking to shop, and Cockburn is known for its alternative mix of vintage shops and edgy fashion.

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Whether it’s the classic cod, chips and mushy peas or a battered sausage with gravy, you can’t leave Edinburgh without sampling the famous chippies. You’ll find eat-in and takeaway shops right across the city, but the best of the lot is The Tailend Fish Bar in Leith. The first of the posh chippies, it offers all the traditional dishes—cod and haddock, pies, chicken and sausages—but also has soups, salmon, prawns and more. If you can’t make it to The Tailend, other great Edinburgh chippies include the award-winning L’Abla D’Oro which is also one of the city’s must-eat spots.

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As you’re walking the Royal Mile, you should keep an eye out for the famous Heart of Midlothian. A beautifully decorative love-heart-shaped mosaic, built into the cobblestones beside St Giles Cathedral, it marks the original location of the now-demolished Tolbooth, which was the city’s main prison and a major site of public tortures and executions. As you’re walking around, you may notice locals spitting on the heart as they walk past, to show disdain for the old execution site. Give it a try yourself—it’s said that you’re sure to return to the city in the future—and try not to step on it.

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Jenners is more than just a shopper’s paradise; unlike most British department stores, it also offers hair and beauty treatments, chiropody, manicures and more. An Edinburgh retail institution, this enormous department store has been a fixture on Princes Street since 1839. Generations of locals have shopped here for everything from clothes to kitchenware, and furniture to perfumes.

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Spend an hour or two at one of the ambient, street-side cafes in the city. Amidst the multitude, Peter’s Yard is said to have the best coffee, crispbread and cakes in Edinburgh. Add to that a lively atmosphere, a great location, friendly service and a sincere belief that coffee shops are about more than just eating and drinking—the owner believes they’re a way of life—and you’re left with one of Edinburgh’s best places to unwind.

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The religious centre of Scottish life for close to a millennium, St Giles’ Cathedral is a pivotal part of the Edinburgh landscape. Also known as The Mother Church of Presbyterianism, the building is instantly recognizable by its architecture and famed crown spire. Having been ravaged by a number of fires and battles throughout history, St Giles’ is now an eclectic mix of architectural styles—from medieval Gothic to Renaissance and Victorian—and its stunning stained glass windows and ceiling reflect these contrasting eras of the city’s history.

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If you fancy a fascinating stroll through the country’s long, rich history, then a trip to the Museum of Scotland should definitely feature on your itinerary. Scotland is famous for its creative influence—having invented the telephone, the bicycle, the steam engine, the television and a whole range of sports—and this is a good spot to acquaint yourself with the country’s proud scientific heritage, with achievements ranging from the discovery of penicillin to the cloning of Dolly the sheep. Wind up your visit with a gourmet meal at the acclaimed Tower Restaurant on the roof of the building.

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Once the official Royal Yacht of Queen Elizabeth II, the Britannia has since reinvented itself as Britain’s finest exhibition ship. Permanently moored in Leith, the imposing vessel maintains its original design and function, so members of the public can explore everything from the high-tech command deck to the grandiose rooms where the royal family lived whilst at sea. Don’t miss the traditional afternoon tea served at the tea room on board the ship.

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The Edinburgh Vaults are where history and the paranormal collide. Built in the late 18th century underneath the South Bridge, these vaults were forgotten about for over 150 years, but were opened to the public after excavations in the 1990s. Over time, they have gained a persistent reputation for being haunted by ghosts—there have been a number of sightings and paranormal activities recorded here—and many tour companies now offer theatrical underground ghost tours.

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This 12-mile stretch of walkway winds serenely through the Scottish capital from Balerno right to the port of Leith with plenty to amuse along the way. Keep your eyes open too for the knee-deep statues throughout the shallows and dotted on the banks. These six life-sized figures—known as 6 Times—were created by artist Anthony Gormley, and can be found positioned between the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the sea. Commissioned by the National Galleries of Scotland, they gauge the height of the river as it rises and falls. If you fancy a spot of lunch, you’ll find several excellent restaurants close to the trail.

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There’s no dearth of places in the city where you can have a tipple. From warm and friendly neighbourhood pubs, to more elegant bars, Edinburgh has plenty of venues which are great for some fun in the afterhours. The Bong Club is one of the most eclectic hangouts in the city; it’s more than just a nightclub, it’s a multi-arts hub where you're just as likely to catch the latest local band as you are to find yourself part of an immersive theatre experience.

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